Bravo, Stephen Colbert

 

So ... just 2 days after Stephen Colbert blasted his own network, CBS-Paramount, for settling a frivolous lawsuit without any merit whatever with Trump for $16.1 million, calling it a "big fat bribe" (so the Trump administration would approve sale of their network to Skydance) - his show is canceled (running until May 2026).

Here's what he said:

"I believe this kind of complicated financial sentiment with a sitting government official has a technical name in legal circles. It’s ‘big fat bribe,’ because it all comes as Paramount’s owners are trying to get the Trump administration to approve the sale of our network to a new owner, Skydance!" 

“I am offended. I don’t know if anything — anything — will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help.”

😂  😂 😂

He's joking, of course about the money - because I don't know if people realize this just yet, but what he just did on national television was knowingly commit career and financial suicide rather than bow to Trump.

Stephen Colbert is not a stupid man - in fact, he's very brilliant - likely the smartest of the late night comedians/talk show hosts.

But he's also a man of integrity with a strong sense of morality, and that comes first with him.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

Rather than quit over it in some kind of tantrum, he wanted the American people to know what was up, and in doing so, make CBS-Paramount fire him instead.

What would he have to gain from this?

Absolutely nothing.

Well, other that I don't think CBS-Paramount OR Skydance is going to come out of this appearing as well as they think they will. 

Colbert's show was #1 with live viewers, 2nd behind Jimmy Fallon for most viewed overall.

Essentially, unlike so many aging talk show hosts that have either straddled the political fence or mostly avoided politics (Jimmy Fallon) or even kissed Trump ass to retain viewership (Bill Maher, Russell Brand) -  even Jon Stewart has surprised me with a few stray conservative-leaning comments - Colbert stuck to his principles and said "Eh, I'm not that self-obsessed or greedy - this is BS and I'm not rolling over and kissing Trump ass."

In other words, he took one for the team - he made a very rare, almost unheard of sacrifice in show business on behalf of his principles.

Thank you, Stephen Colbert, we love you - thank you for making us laugh during the darkest of political times and for proving you really are the person of integrity you've always presented yourself to be.  I only hope and pray others will follow suit.

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PS - The show is allowed to finish it's contractual run until May 2026. 

So Stephen?  

Time to use that comedic free speech to go full Jimmy Kimmel on their asses, since you're fired anyway! 😂

Colbert's humor was mild in comparison to Jimmy Kimmel?!?

But kudos to you, too, Jimmy Kimmel - for supporting your friend!

Jimmy's on vacay, but released a statement - and was pissed. 

Stephen and Jimmy really are friends, they've been on each other's shows several times, made skits together, and have inside jokes.

The good news is, ABC/Disney isn't gonna bow down to Trump. at least not yet - Disney already took their hit from Trump and DeSantis (Florida governor) by removing Disney World's tax-exempt status when they wouldn't change their DEI policies.

So now it's up to just Jimmy Kimmel, late-late night host Seth Meyers, and SNL. 

You thought Kimmel was merciless with Trump before?

When he comes back from vacay, he gonna go full comedic commando on him now 😂

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PPS - Trump celebrating this, saying he "loved" Stephen getting fired and "I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next," pushing Greg Gutfield on Fox to fill that slot.

Um ... political conservatives aren't funny - or at least their humor is often cruel/at someone else's expense  - and that includes Gutfield. 

I tried to give him a fair shot once, and I just found him bitter, angry, and beligerrant, using 3rd-grade name-calling as an attempt at humor.  Ya know, typical MAGA personality.

Go ahead, Trump, enjoy it while you can, but all of this will one day end. 

To quote Gladiator:

"The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end."